🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital
Host: Alex Rawlings | Guest: Niklas James

In this episode, Alex is joined by Niklas James, Founder of Minds Capital, an independent sponsor investment platform. They explore what sets successful sponsors apart, why industry specialization matters, and how media can supercharge inbound deal flow.

🕒 Episode Highlights

00:00 – Niklas’ background: Bain, VC, HBS, and independent sponsor journey
01:17 – Founding Minds Capital: investing $1–$3M in sponsor-led platforms
01:42 – The biggest PE mistake: poor self-marketing and lack of differentiation
02:34 – Why “founder-friendly” isn’t enough — real differentiation is key
04:24 – Using podcasting and LinkedIn for inbound deal flow
05:21 – Why niche expertise drives better deals and exits
06:20 – Case study: investing in an eyewear veteran
07:14 – Why Minds Capital favors independent sponsors over traditional funds
10:03 – Value creation via EBITDA growth and multiple expansion
11:59 – Deal evaluation: downside protection, upside, and conviction
13:53 – Red flags, realistic base cases, and what sets great deals apart
16:17 – How Minds Capital assesses sponsors: 5 key criteria
18:07 – Sponsors need transparency, gravitas, and skin in the game
19:53 – Becoming a media-first PE firm: lessons from podcast success
22:13 – Content strategy: LinkedIn cadence and community building
23:10 – How media enhances deal flow and selectivity
24:32 – Niklas’ reading picks: The Compounders in Private Equity, Alex Hormozi’s books
25:58 – Connect with Niklas on LinkedIn

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Stand Out: With 19,000 PE firms in the U.S., a generic pitch won’t cut it. Sponsors must articulate clear differentiation.
• Media = Inbounds: Minds Capital uses podcasting and LinkedIn to generate proprietary deal flow and investor interest.
• Industry Fit Wins: Deep sector knowledge translates into better deals, stronger exits, and investor confidence.
• Diligence Matters: Every deal is vetted through a rigorous process of risk checks, valuation analysis, and sponsor alignment.
• People First: The sponsor’s experience, character, and skin in the game are just as important as the numbers.

🎧 Listen to the Minds Capital Podcast
Weekly episodes with top independent sponsors.

📨 Connect with Niklas James
🔗 LinkedIn

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Episode with Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital

In this episode, Alex Rawlings is joined by Cyril Aboujaoude, Co-Founder of TioPo Capital, a hands-on private equity firm investing in SMEs across the UK and France. Cyril shares the journey of launching TioPo, their operationally driven approach to investing, and how young, entrepreneurial grit fueled their path from deal number one to a thriving portfolio.

They explore the nuances of deal origination, value creation, and the power of people in private equity. From ERP frustrations to navigating downturns and structuring creative deals, Cyril breaks down the real-world lessons of building a firm from scratch—while staying laser-focused on operational excellence.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:03 – Introduction to Cyril Aboujaoude and TioPo Capital’s mission
00:30 – TioPo’s founding story, operational mindset, and portfolio growth
01:24 – What TioPo really looks for beyond standard investment criteria
01:57 – The importance of vision alignment and execution capability
03:24 – How they assess management teams during diligence
04:35 – Why slow decision-making is riskier than a bad hire
05:29 – Biggest value creation levers: hiring an operating partner over fundraising
06:46 – Building a 100-day transformation plan post-deal
07:45 – One thing target companies should fix pre-investment: ERP systems
08:55 – How TioPo evaluates companies during downturns and market volatility
10:20 – Analyzing long-term performance and identifying macro-inflated businesses
12:51 – Most creative deal structure: partnering with the seller’s son as CEO
14:50 – Reflections on the challenges and naivety of doing their first deal
16:11 – Cyril’s top recommendations: FT, WSJ, Aswath Damodaran, and local gazettes
17:10 – How to connect with Cyril and learn more about TioPo Capital

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• People over projections: Execution ability, humility, and shared vision are more important than just strategy.
• Operations-first philosophy: Value is built in the engine room—TioPo hires operating partners before fundraising staff.
• 100-Day Plan Discipline: They begin value creation planning during diligence, long before Day 0.
• ERP readiness = smoother scale: ERP systems are the most overlooked growth barrier.
• Smart structuring builds trust: Their first deal involved bringing in the founder’s son as CEO and co-investor.
• Past ≠ future, but it’s all we’ve got: Cyril emphasizes analyzing 20+ years of company performance to identify real resilience.

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.

Guest: Greg Nieuwenhuys – PE Operator & Founder, Generative AI Strategy
Host: Alex Rawlings – CEO, Raw Selection

🔍 Episode Summary:

Greg Nieuwenhuys returns to share a practical, step-by-step AI Playbook for hiring. From writing job descriptions to automating follow-ups, Greg breaks down how PE firms and portfolio companies can integrate generative AI into recruitment. Packed with tools, tactics, and workflow tips, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to hire faster, smarter, and with less bias.

🕒 Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Why AI in Hiring Matters
Speed, accuracy, and competitive advantage in recruitment.

01:25 – Greg’s Background
CEO in multiple PE-backed firms; now leads Generative AI Strategy.

05:17 – Where AI Improves Hiring
From job specs to onboarding, AI supports every stage.

06:43 – Quick Wins

• Write job descriptions in minutes using ChatGPT
• Use AI note-takers for transcripts & summaries (e.g. Fireflies)
• Screen CVs faster & more objectively

09:58 – Tools Greg Uses
ChatGPT, Fireflies, Perplexity, Zapier, N8n

12:43 – Building Automation Without a People Team
Use Zapier or N8n to connect email, CRM, and AI tools.

14:35 – Custom GPTs & Human Oversight
Create consistent outputs and reduce manual work—always review.

18:25 – Using AI for Better Decision-Making
Compile notes, CVs, and feedback to spot gaps & flag concerns.

19:21 – Interview Coaching & Advanced Tools

• Assessio: Team chemistry prediction
• FinalRound AI: Candidate coaching tool
• Ovida: Feedback on communication style

23:06 – Better Candidate Outreach
Use AI to create relevant, personalized messages.

25:02 – Improve Candidate Experience with Automation
AI-written follow-ups, regular updates, CRM reminders.

27:55 – Greg’s AI Stack
ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Zapier/N8n, Fireflies, Perplexity

29:24 – AI Makes You a Better Human
Use tools like Ovida to improve interviewing skills & self-awareness.

💡 Takeaways:

• Start simple: job specs, summaries, feedback emails
• Don’t over-engineer—focus on solving real bottlenecks
• Train hiring managers with AI-generated insights
• Improve candidate experience with speed & clarity

📲 Connect with Greg:
LinkedIn – Greg Nieuwenhuys
🌐 www.thegregstar.com

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
🌐 Visit Raw Selection www.raw-selection.com

Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides

for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires.